Wednesday, January 11, 2006

Yoga Toys and Awesome Dinner


Check out my cool new yoga stuff. I went out and purchased this kit at lunch so I'd be prepared for Thursday's class. I got this for a steal - a measly $12.92 from the Ross near my office.

The kit comes with a 1/4 inch yoga mat (it's grippy so you don't slip when you're stretching in awkward positions), a block (you can use this to decrease the difficulty of your stretches), a strap (which somehow is used to exercise with - not quite sure), a videotape, a CD and a booklet.

It's a new toy and I can't wait to try them out! (Practically anything new gets me excited - you should've seen me last week after I bought a purse. Although, in my defense, I had been looking for a purse that I didn't hate for probably two years.)

Amazing Burgers and a Blue Cheese Wedge
I admit it, I love to go to restaurants. I love being able to eat foods that I'm not likely to make at home; sometimes, I just feel like I don't make the same dishes as well at home.

I'm not ashamed to say it (well, okay, sometimes I'm a little ashamed): I cook because I like to eat. Sweet and simple. Oh, I also like to feed other people and hope that they are in awe just like me when something tastes incredible.

I don't cook because it's therapy, or because it calms me down. Sometimes I even get stressed out when I am cooking. It's knowing what the end of the rainbow holds...that is what keeps me cooking.

And sometimes, it is a simple desire that brings me back to the kitchen.

Do you ever wonder why it is so difficult to get a good hamburger? I do. I love hamburgers, but besides In-N-Out, I haven't found another place that can make me happy.

Until I started making my own burgers at home in my cast iron skillet.

Way better than anything off of a grill, these burgers are infused with the flavor of the foods cooked before them in my pan. Can you say *bacon*?

Last night I indulged. I bought 22% fat (don't gasp like that!) ground beef and made a couple of the most amazing burgers I've eaten. Bacon, 2 slices of american cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle and onion made me moan with delight. And my son moaned right along next to me (sans the tomato and onion for him, of course).

To make my meal complete, I made a blue cheese wedge salad. I am disappointed that I didn't take photos - but that meal was NOT going to wait!

Blue Cheese Wedge
Cut a head of iceberg lettuce into thirds, or if it is small, in halves. Place the cut head in a zip lock back and seal. Then place that bag into another bag with iced water in it. This will chill the lettuce without getting it wet.

Once chilled, place on plate, cut side up. Drizzle with blue cheese dressing and then top with crumbled blue cheese, chopped red onion, crumbled bacon and black pepper. Serves 1.

Blue Cheese Dressing
2 1/2 ounces crumbled blue cheese
3 tablespoons buttermilk
3 tablespoons sour cream
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 teaspoons white wine vinegar
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
salt and freshly ground black pepper

In a small bowl, mash blue cheese and buttermilk together with a fork until mixture resembles large-curd cottage cheese. Stir in sour cream, mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, and garlic powder until well blended. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

4 comments:

vlb5757 said...

You go girl! Yoga is awesome. I used to go until I started power walking instead. I have my own yoga stuff in a bag in the bottom of my closet, I could have mailed it to you! I think that I eat fancy foods out and the "down home" cooking at home. Most times than not it's a matter of time for me. I cook all day for someone else and then when I get home...I don't really want to cook again. You are doing a great job doing things at home! Keep it up!

Kristi said...

I've always wanted to give yoga a try. I've heard that it's a serious workout, although it doesn't look like it. Good for you and your resolutions! As for cooking...I hate it. Baking, I love. Cooking, not so much. Which probably explains why my diet is so, so bad. :(

Dawn said...

Vicki, I agree...most of my cooking is more of the "down home" variety. I can't wait until I'm the stay-at-home parent again, that way I can really do more around home.

Kristi, I've tried yoga a couple of times before and I would say that it is on par with getting a decent massage. You just feel good!

bna, LOL! I can imagine my cats sitting on the couch and floor staring at me! I like doing stuff at home, too, but it's harder for me to follow along as a beginner with the TV for some reason. I keep twisting around to look at the TV to figure out which way to turn.

Michelle said...

Hi sweetie! OMG - this dinner sounds AMAZING!! Some of my favorite things, and I can't wait to try out that blue cheese recipe - I've been looking for a good one! Mmmm, I'm already hungry. I hope your yoga class goes well, I love yoga. And your Earl looks like a real sweetheart!